Perfume container with valved outlet operated by applicator



F. C. LURZ Nov. 13, 1951 PERFUME CONTAINER WITH VALVED OUTLET OPERATEDBY APPLICATOR Filed May 20, 1949 INVENTOR v mzamzaz 0. 47.52

ATTORNEYS: v I

Patented Nov. 13, 1951 PERFUME CONTAINER wirnvALvEn OUT- LET OPERATEDnrnrrmcA'ron Frederick 0. Lun West-Hempstead, NJ Application May so,1949," Serial No; 94,273

' This invention relates to dispensers for dispensing liquids andparticularly for dispensing liquids such as perfumes, where the liquidis to b dispensed in very minute quantities.

The objects of the invention are to provide a dispenser of small sizewhich may be carried in a purse or handbag, which will not leak, whichmay be conveniently actuated to dispense the desired small quantity ofthe contents and apply it in the most convenient manner, which can bereadily sealed when desired, so that the liquid cannot accidentallyescape from the dispenser, and which i simple in construction, notlikely to get out of order, and which may be economically manufactured.

In the accompanying drawings, which show certain preferred embodimentsof the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the dispenser in use;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of one form of dispenser;

Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the dispensing valve construction;1

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of thedispenser; and

Figure 5 is an exploded view, showing the dispensing parts of thedispenser shown in Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the dispenser comprises areceptacle ID in which is contained the perfume or other liquid l2 to bedispensed. The upper end of the receptacle ill is closed by a removablecap or cover [4 which contains a sealing washer H5. The cap may beremoved for refilling the receptacle. The lower end of the receptacle isclosed by a wall l8 hav- 10 Claims. (01. 222-222) ing a central hole 20.The receptacle and cap may be made of any suitable material, such asmetal or plastic. The receptacle in the embodiment shown is made in astraight cylindrical form which may be constructed cheaply as a screwmachine part or it may be made as a drawing, die casting, or in anyother suitable manner. The cap may be secured to the receptacle by meansof screw threads 22 or other suitable means of attachment.

At the lower end of the inside of the receptacle and resting upon theend wall I8 is a sealing washer 24 of cork, rubber or other suitableyielding material which should be of such nature as not to be attackedby the contents of the receptacle. A valve member 26 is provided, thisvalve member having a fiange 28 adapted to be held in sealing engagementwith the washer 24 by the pressure of a coil spring 30 seated around aboss 32 formed on the back of vthe valve member. The

- the receptacle.

spring 30 rests against an abutment member 34 which has flattened sidesso as to permit passage of the liquid around it into the part of thereceptacle immediately above the valve. The abutment 34 is secured inthe receptacle inariy desired manner, as for example by means of thescrewthreads 36 formed at the top of a portion "of the receptacle ofreduced diameter indicated A'small sleeve 39 is Dreferably'inserted inthe lower end of the receptacle between the abutment 34 and the Washer24. This holds the washer firmlyin place and also limits the distance towhich the abutment may be screwed down.

Fortemporarily opening the valve when the perfume is to be dispensed, apressure button 40 is provided, this button having a stem 42 whichpasses through the hole 20 in the end wall 3 'of The stem 42 is soshaped as 'to permit the liquid to pass it, it being shown as providedwith flattened portions 44 for this purpose. The upper end of the stemis shown as provided with threads 45 which screw into a threaded socketin the lower side of the valve 26. The valve has a slot 46 in its topand the abutment member 34 has a hole 4'! through it so that a screwdriver may be "passed through the hole and engaged *with the s'lot-tohold the valve against turning while the stem is being screwed in. Thepressure button is shown as having a concave recess 48v in its uppersurface and has small passages 50 passing through it, such passagescommunicating with the recess 48 so that liquid passing down through thehole 20 when the valve is opened will be": caught in the recess 48 andwill pass out "through the passages 50 to the surface, such as thefinger or hand to which the perfume is to be applied when the dispenseris pressed against the skin with suificient force to cause the valveto-'be opened against the pressure of the spring '30." The outer surface52 of the button is preferably finished as a smooth convex surface sothat it maybe pressed against the skin without causing discomfort.

In use, it .will be seen that the dispenser is merely pressed againstthe hand or other skin surface. as shown in Figure l, whereupon thepressure on the button will open the valve '26 a little way and permit asmall amount of the liquid :soon as the pressure on the button isremoved,

the spring 30"will instantly close the valve 26 flivagainstthe washerand hold it there, making a very tight seal. As only small amounts ofthe perfume are to be dispensed at a time, the air necessary to replacethe amount dispensed will readily enter through the hole 20 at the sametime that the drop of perfume is coming out.

In some instances, it may be desired to positively seal the dispenser sothat the valve cannot be opened accidentallyor otherwise. For example,if thecarrier of thegdispenser in an airplane at high altitudes, itmay'be'desirable to seal the dispenser during such periods.

For accomplishing this result, manually operated means are provided forpositively preventing tht pushing in of the pressure button *andiconseequently opening of the valve. In, the construc- V the receptacleforclosing said opening, a pressure tion shown, such temporarysealingm'e'ans prise a sleeve 54 screwed on a thmadigatathe lower end ofthe dispenser. The pressure button bilttomzandia-stem passing throughthe dispensing opening in the receptacle and connecting said pressure"button with said valve, said pressure button being-substantiallycoextensive in area is made of a slightly larger diameter than the"lower end of the dispenser so that it overhangs the dispenser slightly,:its outer ediameter 'ipref- =-erably;coinciding with the outerdiameter-Mine sleeve '54. By screwing-the sleeve id down 01 a shortdistance, it will abut against :the coverhanging margin of the pressurebutton-andwill effectually prevent movement of the -button. ZIhus,the-valve 26 is positivel heldagainst'the "washer until the sleeve hasbeen backed o'fl a little way as shown in Figure 2.

:Amodified form of the invention is.;shown in Figures 4 land 5, suchmodification @providing venting meansfor 'admissionof air into -lthe up-:per end of the dispenser to replace the liquidadispensed. Ordinarily,such venting means are:not required but are useful if afreerflow-:ofillqtiiii is desired.

In the construction :shown in *F'gures' f4 iandifi, the valve mechanismillustrated is the 'isame 85 that already described. The valve, however,carries :a red 60 which passes through a hole -41 in the abutment34 andextends to ,the upper end of the dispenser where its "end engages a disc464 adapted to :rest on a seat '66 *:at the endtof the dispenser. Aguide member 68.=isfpreferably :provided .forthe upper endaiof the rod-='8ll,' such iguide .member being shown as having iscrew threadedengagement with threads :10 :fiormed in :the upper end "of thedispenser. lhetr'disc fl may bemade of cork, rubber, or otherzsuita'bleyielding material and it may be providd' withia reinforcing spider12:0)? metal embedded therein so as :to provide the necessary stiffness..The disc isnormally pressedagainst its tseat iSB iibyra coilispring l4fitting inside of the .cap' wnienan this instance, has perforations-IE.zinaitszendfl'l to ipermit air to enter. This end is preferably -madeasaseparate piece, screwing intothe .cylindrical part of the cap, thuspermitting :Sthezedisc 64 to be introduced into the capifrom the1top andbe held against fallingout whenithe cap removed by the "shoulderformediby the ithre'al'is :in the cap. In this construction,-=wnen:.pressure is applied to the pressure button miseries i to openthe valve 24, the rod 60 which is carrledihy the valve will 'be broughtinto iengagement.awith the disc 64 so as to lift "thesame slightlyazidsperniit the'entrance of air into the receptacl'eaibove '-theliquid. As soon :as the pressurezristrelieved 'from the pressure'button, th'e'valve fl 'w'ill eiose land the spring "Mwvill press th'e'disc fl ra'gainst its 'se'a't so that the entire recepta'cle' is filed.In this 'instan'ce, as in the constructioniofiFigures to 3, a sealingsleeve. :54 may be employed- Tor temporarily sealing the dispenser.

awhile certain preferred embouimentsmt t the with the end of thereceptacle, having a smooth outer-surface for engagement with the skinand having dispensing passages therethrough.

"2. A perfume dispenser comprising a cylin- 'dricala'eceptacle of smalldiameter which mayhe carried-iniaihandbag, a removable cap for closingone end of said receptacle, said receptacle having :-a dispensingopening at -the other end thereof, :a valve :inside .of the receptaclefor closing ,said opening, a pressure .buttcmand a stem passingthroughthe dispensing opening in the receptacle .-and connecting saidpressure button with said valve, said pressure button comprising a discof approximately the diameter :of the receptacle having ;:a concaveinner :face providing a liquid .zreceiving chamber betweensaid face andtheend of the receptacle .and a smooth convex outerface, and a, liquiddispensing passageway extending Itherethrough from the inner to theouter-face.

3.4a portable liquid dispenser comprising a receptacle forthe liquid tobe dispensed, said receptacle having a wall at one end in which is.ilocated a dispensing hole, a sealing washer mounted in said receptacleand resting against saidxend'wall, a valve mounted inysaid receptaclefor engagement with zsaid washer, spring means ifor normally holdingsaid valve-in, sealingengagement with said 'washerya pressure buttonadja- 'centto the endof the dispenser, :and a stem-conmeeting .ihepressure button "and said valve, --Wherebypressure on the button willlift the valve from bontact'with said washer and ,permit escape of :asmall amount of liquid, tsaid stem ,having screw threaded engagementwith said valve, said .pressurebutton comprising a disc :having a liquidpassageway 'therethrough and having :a :smooth a-convex outer'surfacezofa-diameterapprox-imately Ila-rgeas thesend diameter of the dispenser.1'4.snzperfume' dispenser comprising a cylindritzcalireceptacle .ofsmall diameter which may be married in :arhandba'g, a removable eap=forpclosing one :Jend of :said receptacle, said receptacle having adispensing opening-at the -other'send thereoi, a valve for closingsaid-opening alpres- *surebuttonsandra stemp assing lthroughasaid :dis-Lpensing opening and connecting :said pressure button'with: saidvalve,:said pressure buttonsbeing slightly larger in diameter than thediameterof theJendOf'Tthe receptacle so as toslightly-over- :hang -the'Sa-me,.and a sealing sleeve mountedpn lthe'receptacleand movable'intocontact withzthe ov'erhanging. edge :of thebuttonrso as to hold-said:buttoniagainst .movement in a direction to open the dispensing valve.

i5. A perfume dispenser comprising an 'elonigated tubularxreceptacle.havinga cap screwing 1 011 oneend thereof and having ;'an endwall'atthe-,-rither:endvthereoiprovidedv with atdispensingihole therethrough, awasher mounted in the end of the receptacle and resting on said endwall, a valve member having a flange seating on said washer, a coiledspring for holding said valve against its seat, an abutment memberscrewing into said receptacle near the lower end thereof against whichthe end ofsaid spring bears, a pressure button extending over the end ofsaid receptacle and having a stem extending through said hole andsecured to said valve, said pressure button being of slightly largerdiameter than the adjacent end of said receptacle, and a sealing sleevescrewing on said receptacle and being of such size that it may bescrewed partly oif of the end of the receptacle so as to engage theoverhanging edge of the pressure button and hold said pressure buttonand valve against inward movement.

6. A perfume dispenser comprising a receptacle of a small diameter whichmay be carried in a handbag, a removable cap for closing one end of saidreceptacle, said receptacle having a dispensing opening at the other endthereof, a valve for closing said opening, a pressure button, a stempassing through the dispensing opening in the receptacle and connectingsaid pressure button with said valve, a rod carried by the valveextending through the receptacle, and venting means carried by thereceptacle and movable by the rod into venting position when the valveis opened by pressure upon the pressure button.

7. A perfume dispenser comprising an elongated tubular receptacle havinga cap screwing on one end thereof and having an end wall at the otherend thereof provided with a dispensing hole therethrough, a washermounted in the end of the receptacle and resting on said end wall, avalve member seating on said washer, a coiled spring for holding saidvalve against its seat, an abutment member screwing into said receptaclenear the lower end thereof against which the end of said spring bears, apressure button extending over the end of said receptacle and having astem extending through said hole and secured to said valve, said caphaving a vent opening therein, a disc within said cap having sealingengagement with the end of the receptacle, a spring mounted on said capand normally holding said disc in sealing engagement, and a rodconnected to said valve and passing through a hole in said abutmentmember and having its end engaging said disc for lifting said disc fromits seat when the valve is moved by pressure upon the pressure butten.

8. A portable liquid dispenser comprising a receptacle for the liquid tobe dispensed, said receptacle having a wall at one end in which islocated a dispensing hole, a sealing washer mounted in said receptacleand resting against said end wall, a valve mounted in said receptaclefor engagement with said washer, spring means for normally holding saidvalve in sealing engagement with said washer, a pressure button adjacentto the end of the dispenser, and a stem connectingthe pressure buttonand said valve, whereby pressure on the button will lift the valve fromcontact 6 amount of liquid, said stem having screw threaded engagementwith said valve, said valve having a slot in its upper face, said springmeans comprising a coiled spring engaged with said valve at one end, andan abutment mounted in the receptacle against which the other end ofsaid spring bears, said abutment having a hole therethrough forintroduction of a tool for engagement with said slot in the valve toassist in screwing the valve and stem of the pressure button together,said pressure button comprising a disc having a liquid passagewaytherethrough and having a smooth convex outer surface of a diameterapproximately as large as the end diameter of the dispenser.

9. A perfume dispenser comprising an elongated tubular receptacle havinga cap screwed on one end thereof and having an end wall at the other endthereof provided with a dispensing hole therethrough, a washer mountedin the end of the receptacle and resting on said end wall, a valvemember having a flange seating on said washer, a coiled spring forholding said valve against its seat, an abutment member screwing intosaid receptacle against which the end of said spring bears, a sleevemounted in the lower part of the receptacle and engaging said washer atone end and said abutment at the other end for holding said washer uponits seat, and a pressure button extending over the end of saidreceptacle and having a stem extending through said hole and secured tosaid valve.

10. A perfume dispenser comprising a receptacle having a dispensingopening at one end thereof, a valve inside of the receptacle for closingsaid opening, a pressure button, a stem passing through the dispensingopening of the receptacle and connecting said pressure button with thevalve, said pressure button being substantially larger in diameter thanthe stem and having a smooth outer surface for engagement with the skin,said pressure button being depressible to a position close to the end ofthe receptacle, the inner surface of the pressure button and the surfaceof the receptacle beneath said pressure button being formed to provide achamber which is substantially closed around the margin of the pressurebutton when the pressure button is depressed, said chamber receivingliquid from the dispensing opening when the button is depressed to openthe valve, and a liquid dispensing passageway from said chamber to thesmooth outer surface of the pressure button.

FREDERICK C. LURZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,000,937 Peeler Aug. 15, 19111,540,082 Merrill June 2, 1925 1,642,868 Booty Sept. 20, 1927 2,211,595Crowley Aug. 13, 1940

